PERU — EDP Renewables held an open house for residents of Peru on Tuesday night. EDPR is a North America renewable energy operator and owner. It develops, constructs, operates and owns wind projects.

Katie Chapman, project manager, presented the crowd with multiple handouts, one of which listed frequently asked questions. Chapman said the proposed project would have 25 or more turbines on Black Mountain. This would depend upon the results from the meteorological tower findings.

The meteorological tower is up and running, according to Chapman, but it will take two years of measuring wind velocity and temperature before the wind company can evaluate the findings.

Dan Gaudin had multiple questions about falcon nesting areas in the proposed site. Derek Rieman, environmental affairs manager, said the company would study the area with outside consultants and conduct a risk assessment.

Gaudin wanted to know if the project would expand to Speckled Mountain. Chapman said that would depend, but Gaudin said it wouldn’t because of a falcon nesting area. He also alluded to the winter yarding of moose on Black Mountain.

Rieman said they would conduct a year of wildlife monitoring before the project is constructed to make sure habitat and wildlife impacts are minimized.

Chapman said she wasn’t sure if Peru actually wanted windmills and the company would be waiting to see what comes of the wind ordinance, which is being written by a wind power committee.

There will be a wind power hearing at 7 p.m. on May 29 at the old Peru elementary school.

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